A Second Chance at Life

The past couple of years have been rough for my co-worker MaryAnn. Those from La Crosse, Wisconsin might know of the business May’s Photos that used to be in the downtown area. May’s Photo was her brothers business that she used to work at. On September 16, 2012 a man came into the store and killed her brother, 56 and her nephew, 19. On that day she was also working but had to run errands and was gone when the shooting happened. “I always wonder why my family? What have we ever done to that man to make him not only rob us but take my family members away from me” recalls MaryAnn. Jeffrey Lepsch was sentenced to prison on the accounts for two murders and robbery. When things were starting to look up for MaryAnn four months after the shooting, she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.

“Today I find it hard to remember those days, which is odd because it consumed my life” explains MaryAnn. Every day was a struggle and took a lot of strength to get going but she knew she had to win this battle for her brother and nephew. MaryAnn is more than just a survivor but a wife, a mother, a sister, a hard worker and a friend. Even when she is not feeling well she is still manages to brighten everyone’s day. When we are at work and she tells me more about her battle with breast cancer, she does not complain about it but is happy that she beat another milestone in her life and helps others that are going through what she went through. MaryAnn has such a positive outlook on life because brighter days are ahead. She explains to me, that she has her life back and it is better than ever because “it’s important to keep the faith.”

Every time I complain about the smallest thing or that I am having a bad day I just have to remind myself I do not have it that bad and many have it worse than me. Life is too short and many of us cannot wait to grow older to see what life has in store for us but there are many people who are praying that they make it to their tenth birthday. It is funny how we do not appreciate everything we have until it gets taken away from us or until something tragic happens in our lives or our loved ones that we start to count our blessings.

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